Thursday, August 20, 2009

August/September Newsletter

Welcome!!!
Welcome to the Granzow Gazette Newsletter. This newsletter is published once a month to help keep you up to date with what is going on in the classroom. Updates will be posted on my blog and in your child’s Mission Control Binder. Call me at 764-6372 with any questions.

Lifeskill Schedule
August 24-September 4: Organization
Septermber 7-18: Effort
September 21-October 2: Friendship

Snack Attack
Did you know that second grade doesn’t eat lunch until 12:15? That is a long wait between meals when you are spending a great deal of energy on brain power. I set aside a short time in the morning, so that your child can refuel on healthy snacks. Fruit, veggies, cheese, yogurt, crackers, half a peanut butter sandwich are some of the excellent examples of healthy snacks your child can bring.

One Hot Month
August and September are the hottest months of the school year. During these months, your child may bring a refillable water bottle. This will save time on trips out of the classroom to get a drink.

Important Dates
The following dates are important for the month of September:
· August 25 Parent Information Night 7-7:45 pm.
· September 1 Book Orders go out.
· September 7 Labor Day
· September 11 Book Orders are due.
· September 30 Picture Day.

Book of the Month
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. Chrysanthemum always thought that her name was special, until she went to a school where everyone has a name that is shorter than hers. A funny and touching story for anyone who ever felt different on that first day of school.

Just a Reminder
If there is a change in plans for your child’s transportation, let the office know and send a note with your child. The same also goes for absences.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

April Indicators

E/LA
2.1.9 Prefixes and Suffixes (3/30)
2.2.5 Main Idea/Details (4/13)
2.2.6 Cause and Effect (4/27)

Math
2.1.8 Fractions (3/30)
2.1.9 Fractions (4/6)
2.3.3 Linear Patterns (4/13)
2.3.4 Number Patterns (4/20)
2.4.2 Geometric Shapes (4/27)

April Newsletter

Important Dates
April 10- No School Good Friday
April 13- Book Orders Due
April 16- Spring Musical in Aylesworth Gym at 6:00. Please have your child in my classroom by 5:45.
April 22- Velveteen Rabbit Play at IUN. (We are leaving right after attendance, so be here on time.)

Lifeskill Update
The lifeskill for this month is Perseverance. It’s the old “never give up” attitude. Is your child still stuck on a skill? Let’s get those brains into overdrive. Read labels at the grocery store, measure in the garden, and of course you can always ask me for extra practice sheets.

Book of the Month
Bow Wow, Meow Meow poetry by Douglas Florian. These short animal poems keep the attention of early readers, while the puns and style keep the fluent readers on their toes.

Monday, March 16, 2009

March Indicators

Math 2.5.11 Elapsed Time, 2.5.12 Money
Reading 2.2.1 Locating Information in a Table of Contents
E/LA 2.6.5 Commas, 2.6.7 Capitalization (Beginning of a sentence, I, Proper Nouns).

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Timeline Rubric Project is due January 22.
EX I have eight or more items about my life. My timeline goes in order from birth to the present. I have pictures/artifacts that go with everything. Everyone will want to take a closer look. I know what I’m talking about and what I have to say is interesting. Hey we’re talking about me here.
M+ I have eight items about my life. My timeline goes in order. I have at least one picture/artifact to go with each item. It’s neat and easy to see. I read from the timeline and occasionally give additional information.
M I have five-seven items about my life. I flip-flopped my items a little. A little sloppy but there is a picture/artifact for most of my items. I read straight from the timeline. I hope no one falls asleep.
NY I have less than five items about my life. It was suppose to be in order? You mean I needed to have something for people to see? I have amnesia and don’t know anything about my life. What’s my name again?

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

January Story Vocabulary

1/12: Officer Buckle and Gloria: accident, attention, audience, commands, officer, safety
1/19: Ant: antennae, cocoons, colonies, fungus, larvae, tunnels
1/26: The Great Ball Game: accept, advantage, argument, penalty, quarrel

January Spelling Lists

1/5-1/9 Word Wall Review
1/12-1/16: smart, arm, park, yard, part, barn, hard, party, farm, warm, car*, are*, department, carpet, heart
1/19-1/23: king, hand, sing, send, think, bring, bang, end, junk*, drink*, thank*, thing*, grand, young, camping
1/26-1/30: boat, cold, road, blow, gold, old, load, snow, hold, most, toe, do, slow*, float*, rainbow

January Newsletter

Granzow Gazette
January 2009

Thank You!
Once again, thanks to everyone who made our seasonal party a success. We couldn’t have done it without you.
The Issues With Tissues
Cold and flu season has already hit us hard this year, and it has made a serious dent in our tissue supply. I would deeply appreciate it if you could send your child in with an extra box of tissues, as it is only going to get worse before it gets better.

Lifeskill Update
Flexiblity- It’s not just about bending. Flexibility is about going with the flow, not getting frustrated when things don’t go your way, and being patient with yourself and others.

What We Are Learning?
Guided Reading: We are working on answering the questions of who, what, where, when, why, and how when we read, as well as context clues.
Math: We are learning about charts, graphs, and measurement.
Writing: We are working on descriptive words when we write.
Health: We are beginning our studies on how we grow and change, as well as how to take care of our bodies. There is a special homework assignment about a timeline project. (See rubric.)

Upcoming Dates
January 22- Timelines are Due.
January 28- Progress Reports
Book Report
A is for Axel by Kurt Browning- Part of an amazing series of alphabet books, this one is my favorite. Each page has a simple rhyme for each letter. There are also facts in the margins that makes for a more challenging read.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Vocabulary for December

12/5 chief, dispatch, emergencies, fire engine, firefighters, gear
12/12 bushy, costume, disguise, handsome, mirror, mustache
12/19 booth, plaque, station, subway, token

Spelling Lists for December

12/5 train, tray, trail, pay, sail, hay, nail, great, again, said, played, rain, they, snail, subway
12/12 town, sour, frown, cow, clown, mouse, brown, should, outside, hour, house, found could, how, around
12/19 clean, keep, please, feel, we, be, tree, mean, the, green, here, eating, people, stream

December Newsletter

Upcoming Dates
Dec. 18 Seasonal Party and half day. Dismissal is at 11:25. Lunch will be served.
Dec. 20-Jan. 4 Winter Holiday.

Speaking of Seasonal Party…
We have twenty-three students in our class, and gift giving amongst the students can get pretty hairy. This year I am asking that everyone in class brings twenty-seven small items to be put into gift bags for the students. The cost should run no more than $5.00. Items can include but are not restricted to: pencils, pens, erasers, small toys, candies, etc. Last year, I found some of the best buys at the Dollar Store, Big Lots, and Walgreen’s ten-cent sales. Please have your child bring in his or her items in by December 17, so that I have time to get the gift bags ready. I did this project with the students last year and it turned out very well.

Book Orders
Due to the short month, I will not be sending book order sheets home until January.

Book of the Month
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. With the movie coming out, there are various versions of the classic story for all readers. The novel makes for a good family read as well as an alternative for children who are not quite ready to read the Harry Potter Series.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

November Updates

Important Dates
No book order due to book fair.
November 24-26 half days due to parent teacher conferences.
Dismissal at 11:25. Lunch is available
November 27-28 Thanksgiving Break.

Lifeskill Report
We have been working on the Lifeskill of Responsibility. We have been learning to take responsibility for our work, our personal things, and our actions. A Responsibility activity which can be done at home would be: Have your child make a checklist of what needs to done after school (i.e. homework, chores, activities). Post the checklist in an easily viewed area, so your child can see it and check it off as jobs are completed.

Reminders
Homework is due every Friday unless otherwise indicated. Reading Logs are due on Mondays at the latest and are part of homework. The only way your child will become a better reader is with practice.

Book Report
The Tale of Desperaux by Kate Di Camillo. This is the book we are currently reading aloud in class. We are hoping to have it finished before the movie comes out in December. It is a story of a mouse who wants to be a knight and protect Princess Pea. It is also the story of rat named Roscuro who wants the light of the castle instead of the dark dungeon. It is also the story of Miggery Sow who is a serving girl with a sad story and an impossible wish.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Indicator Update

Indicators we are working on this month are:
E/LA 2.1.2 Inflection (subject/verb agreement)
2.1.6 Reading Fluency
2.1.7 Synonyms and Antonyms
2.1.11 Word Families
2.5.1 Narrative Writing
2.6.4 Parts of Speech (nouns, verbs, and adjectives)
2.6.8 Sight Word Spelling (Word Wall Words)
2.6.9 Spelling with Different Vowels and Blends

Math 2.1.7 Even and Odd Numbers
2.3.1 Number Sentences
2.5.1 Telling Time
2.6.2 Visual Depictions in Problem Solving

Halloween Party Update

We're looking for someone to bring in food (healthy snacks) of course, drinks, and prizes for a game. Please call Miss Granzow if you can help.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Granzow Gazette September Reminders

Boys and Girls Club
The club is now open. If you wish for your child to attend, please send a note the day you plan on having them go.

Important Date
Grandparents Day is September 26 K-2. It is also a half day. Dismissal is at 11:25.

Homework Reminders
Homework Packets go out every Monday and are due every Friday unless otherwise specified. Redos and unfinished papers are due ASAP.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Welcome

Welcome to Miss Granzow's Blog! Check back frequently for updates and postings.
Some important events happening this week:
  • Homework comes home Monday and is due on Friday.
  • Dibels and Star Testing.
  • Open House on August 27, 2008 at 6:00 pm (I hope to see everyone there.)
Indicators we are working on this week in Reading and Language Arts:
  • 2.1.1 Phonemic Awareness
  • 2.1.2 Inflections
  • 2.1.6 Fluency
  • 2.2.10 Predicting and Concluding
  • 2.6.2 Complete Sentences
  • 2.6.8 Sight Word Spelling
  • 2.6.9 Vowels and Blends
Indicators we are working on this week in Math:
  • 2.1.3 Tens and Ones

Friday, May 23, 2008

New Point Club Updates

15 Point Club- Vinson and Ray
25 Point Club- Justin, Erika, and Madison
30 Point Club- Akilah
35 Point Club- Dylan
40 Point Club- Brianna
45 Point Club- Cheyenne
50 Point Club- Cade and Jasmine
55 Point Club- Hannah and Jessica
65 Point Club- Lea
70 Point Club- Tabitha
80 Point Club- Noah
Congratulations everyone!
This Trimester's Leaders are Noah, Tabitha, and Lea

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Mastered Indicators for This Trimester

I am so proud of these students. They are really doing a great job on this trimester's indicators.
Mastered: E/LA 2.1.1, 2.2.4, 2.2.9, 2.2.10, 2.3.1, 2.3.6, 2.4.2, and 2.5.3
Math: 2.4.3
Keep working on fractions, elapsed time, problem solving and money for math, and make sure your child is reading every night. Our final Dibels assessment will be next week.

AR Update

We've been working so hard on AR that every time I try to post something on the scores I have to update them again. We beat Mrs. Damjanovic's class twice in April, and we beat them again last week by 20 points!
Our current leaders for the trimester are- Noah, Tabitha, and Hannah
Our year round club points are as followed:
5 point club-Vinson
10 point club-Ray
20 point club- Erika, Justin, and Madison
25 point club- Akilah
30 point club- Brianna and Dylan
35 point club- Jasmine
40 point club- Cheyenne and Cade
45 point club- Jessica
50 point club- Hannah and Lea
60 point club- Tabitha and Noah

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Field Trip

The community field trip permission slips have gone out. Check your child's backpack and return ASAP!